Aibrpebsstjbe plug fob containebs of heavy liquids



April 15 1924.

W. C- WEBSTER AIR PRESSURE PLUG FOR CONTAINERS OF HEAVY LIQUIDS Filed Sept. 11. 1922 I/v VEN 70/7. Wm. Tffi c. WEBSTER mesa... 15,1924.

PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER C. WEBSTER, F WINONA, MINNESOTA.

AIB-PBESEURE PLUG FOB CONTAINERS 0F HEAVY LIQUIDS.

Application filed September 11, 1922. Serial No. 587,402.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER C. wnasrapa citizen of the United States, residin at nona, in the county of Winona and tate of Minnesota, useful Improvements in Air-Pressure Plu for Containers of Heavy Liquids; and I 0 hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descri tion of the invention, such as will enable otiiers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a closure plug for a container adapted to carry heavy liquid such as oil, molasses, paint, etc. As is well understood by those skilled in the art, considerable difiiculty isencountered in emptying heavy liquids from barrels and other containers especially if the temperature of the liquid is low. Such liquids frequently will not flow by gravity through the deliv ery faucet, or will flow very slowly. It has been found that the delivery or exit of the liquid from the container is greatly facilitated by using a plug having means thereon for admitting air under pressure into the container so that the liquid is forced through the faucet or delivery opening by the pressure of the air thereon.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a plug of simple and efficient design to be secured in the container and provided with means by which air may be forced therethrough.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a plug carrying an automatically closed valve at one side and also provided with means whereby'the plug can be reversed and secured in the container with the valve inside of the container during handling or transportation.

It is more specifically an object of the invention to provide such a plug having an intermediate flange portion adapted to lie against the side of the container, from which portion threaded projections extend adapted to be screwed into the container, respectively, when the plug is to be used as an air valve, and when the same is reversed for handling or transportation, one of said projections carrying a resiliently closed valve.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts have invented certain new and throughout the difi'erent views, and in which,

Fi 1 is-a view in vertical section through the slde of the container having the plug of the invention therein, the cap of the valve being shown in elevation and detached;

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section through the container showing the plug secured therem in reversed osition;

Fig. 3 is a. view in front elevation of the plug as seen from the left of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of the plug as seen from the right of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, a portion of a container 1 is shown, which container will be of the type adapted to carry a heavy liquid. Said container is illustrated as having a threaded opening therethrough into which is screwed the threaded portion 2 of the plug or bung of the present invention. The portion 2 is provided with a socket 3 of angular formation adapted to receive an angular wrench by which the plug may be turned when the projection 2 is on the .outside of the container. Said projection extends from an intermediate flange 4: extending circumferentially from the body portion of the plug and from which extends another threaded projection 5 on the side opposite the projection 2. The projection 5 is equipped with an extending angular portion Gadapted to receive a socket wrench for turning the plug when said portion is on the outside of the container. The plug is equipped with a central passage 7 which communicates with the passage in a valve member 8 which may be of any standard or well known type of air valve, such as used in pneumatic tires. Said valve is illustrated as of the well known Schrader type of valve and comprises a threaded stem having a reduced threaded end 9 adapted to receive the closing cap 10. The valve has a central opening with a conical valve seat therein receiving the valve member 11 held in place by a plug 12 threaded into the opening. A small valve 14 is held against the lower end of the member 11 by a 'sprin 15 which abuts at its other end against a xed member 16. The valve 14 is provided with a plunger 13 projecting at the top of the valve by which the member 14 may be depressed against the pressure of spring 15. The parts described merely represent one form of such valve and such forms of valve are old and well known and form no part of applicants invention. A gasket member 17 is ordinarily placed between the flange 4 and the side of the container 1 to form a tight joint.

When the liquid is to be forced from the container the plug will be inserted therein in the position shown in Fig. 1, the plug being turned tightly to position by means of the angular portion 6. Air can now be forced through the valve 8 by an ordinary air pump or any other convenient air con nection adapted to fit on the valve. The air will pass through the passage 7 and, by pressure upon the liquid, will force the same to flow continuously through the delivery openin When the container is to be shipped, eit er full or empty, the plug can be reversed and the portion 5 screwed. into the opening into the container, the plug being tightly forced to position by using the socket 3 for turning the same. In this position here is no danger of the valve 8 being roken oil' by striking some object. WVhen it 5 again desired to empty the container the plug can be reversed and used as described.

From the description it is seen that applicant has provided a simple and eflicient device which will greatly facilitate the emptying of heavy liquids from barrels and other containers. Great difficulty has been experienced in emptying various heavy oils from containers in cold weather and it has been found in actual practice that by the use of applicants device and air pressure,

' such containers can be quickly and efiiciently emptied. Heavy cylinder oil has been emptied from barrels with but sli ht air pressure in one-fifth of the time ordmarily taken to empty such barrels without the use of the air pressure. Such heavy cylinder oil has been efficiently emptied from barrels with ordinary air pressures when the temperature has been as low as 15 or 20 degrees below zero. Without the air pressure it is practically impossible to get the oil to flow from the barrel at such temperatures.

It will, of course, be understood that vame aee rious changes may be made in the form, proportions and details of the device Without departing from the scope ofapplicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in the matter shown and described and set forth in. the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A plug for containers of heavy liquids comprising a body port-ion having a flange extending therearound adapted to fit against the side of the container, threaded cylindrical portions extending at'each side of said flange and adapted to fit in and extend through an opening in said container, said body being apertured and containing a valve, a cap closing one end of said aperture and plug, and means at each end of said plug for turning the same.

2. A reversible plug for containers of heavy liquids comprising a body portion having a flange. projecting there-around adapted to seat against the side of said container, threaded portions projecting at each side of said flange, a spring-pressed valve carried in an aperture extending through said plug, and means at each end of said plug for turning the same.

3. A bung for containers of heavy liquid adapted to permit the passage of air therethrough comprising a body portion having an intermediate flange extending therearound, a threaded projection at one side of said flange adapted to screw into an opening in said container, said projection havmg an angular socket therein, a threaded projection extending from the other side of said flange provided with an angular portion, said latter projection carrying a resiliently closed valve, said body portion having a passage therethrough communicating with said valve and a threaded cap-receiving portion extending from said last mentioned projection.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WALTER C. WEBSTER. 

